USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historical sketches of the ten miles square forming the District of Columbia : with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union. > Part 34
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Sec. 4. . Ind be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Corporation, where there shall be a number of Jots assessed to the same person or persons, to sell one, or more, of such lots, for the taxes and expenses due on the whole; and, also, to provide for the sale of any part of a let, for the taxes and expenses due on the said lot, or other lots assessed to the same person, as may appear expedient, ac- cording to such rules and regulations as the said Corporation may prescribe.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That in case of the death, resignation, or inability to serve, of any commissioner of elec- tion, it shall be lawful for the Mayor, or in case of his absence -or inability to perform that duty, for the Register of the city,
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Amendatory Charter of Washington.
to make an appointment in writing, to fill any such vacancy. which appointment shall be returned to the Register, with the return of such election.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the proprietor cr proprietors of lots which may be sold under the provisions of this act, shall be allowed the right of redemption, in the same manner, and according to the like restrictions, contained in the act to which this is a supplement
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That public notice of the time and place of sale, of any real property chargeable with taxes, in Georgetown or Alexandria, in all cases hereaf- ter, shall be given once in each week, for twelve successive weeks, in some one newspaper printed in each of said places, and in the National Intelligencer, in which shall be stated the number of the lot or lots, or parts thereof, intended to be sold, and the value of the assessment, and the amount of the taxes due owing thereon.
Sec. 8. . And be it further enacted, That if, before the day of sale, advertised as aforesaid, the owner, his agent or attor- . ney, shall not pay the amount of taxes, with all costs thereon assessed, said lots, or so many as may be sufficient to discharge the same, shall be sold, for cash, and to the highest bidder paying therefor; a certificate from the proper officer shall be issued, setting forth that he is the purchaser, and the amount paid by him; and if, at the expiration of twelve months from the day of sale, the owner shall not appear, and pay the off- cer who sold the same, the Mayor, or the purchaser, the a- mount of the purchase money, and costs, and taxes accruing subsequent to the sale, and ten per centum interest per an- num on the purchase money, it shall and may be lawful for a title, in fee simple, at the expiration of said time, to be made to the purchaser: Provided, That no sale of real estate shalt be made but where the owner or tenant of the property has not sufficient personal estate out of which to enforce a collec- tion of the debt due, and where he has personal property, it shall be lawful to collect said taxes by distress and sale thereof.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That on or before the first day of April next, and every five years thereafter, cach of the Corporations, Georgetown, and Alexandria, shall cause three respectable freeholders, resident in said city and towns, respectively, being previously sworn, to assess and value, and make return of all and every species of property by law taxa- ble, in said Corporations; and, in making their said valuations, they shall determine it agreeably to what they believe it to be worth, in cash, at the time of the valnation.
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Amendatory Charter of Washington.
Sec. 10. And be it enacted, That, where any taxes have fallen due, and yet remain unpaid, or where any real estate has been sold by the Corporation of Georgetown or Alexan- dria, which sale, from any defect of proceeding in relation thereto, has been declared, or is considered void, said Corpo- ration may proceed, and are hereby authorised to collect said taxes by the sale of the real estate, liable, agreeably to the provisions of this act, in relation to the other cases of collect- ing taxes hereafter to fall due: Provided, That where any person, without notice of the outstanding taxes, has made a bona fide purchase from the owner of any real estate, previ- ous to the fifteenth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four, said real estate, so acquired, shall not be lia- ble for the taxes due and owing previous to said purchase.
Sec. 11. . And be it further enacted, That all titles to pro- perty conveyed, as aforesaid, on sales for taxes, made in either of said places, shall be by deed from the Mayor, under the sval of the Corporation; which said conveyance shall be effec- tual in law, to convey the title, the requisition of this act hav- ing been complied with.
Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That on any lot, or lots, or part of a lot, liable for taxes, as aforesaid, being sold, the amount, over and above the tax, cost and charges, due upon the same, shall be paid over, on application, to the owner of said property.
Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That, where the pay- ment of any taxes shall be made or enforced against any ten- ant, it shall not be lawful for the owner of said property, so made liable for the taxes, to recover of the tenant any rent for the property; but the same shall remain in his possession a lien for the debt, until such time as the rent accruing shall have discharged the same; and the said tenant shall be entit- led to charge twenty-five per centum against the landlord, on the amount of the taxes so paid or enforced against him, ex- cept where he may have been previously in arrears for his rent.
Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That, in all cases of any nuisance affecting, in the opinion of the board of health, the healthiness of the city of Washington, or inhabitants con- fignous thereto, which may exist on any lot belonging to the United States, it shall be lawful to have the same removed, in the same manner, and under the same rules and regulations, that nuisances on private property are removed; and the ex- pense of such removal or correction shall be defrayed out of any moneys in the hands of the city commissioner, for the cale of the public property in said city.
JAMES MONROE. Approved: May 26, 1824.
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498
Digest of Corporation Laws.
Accounts, of agents to be filed with Register; officers and agents to be held responsible till so filed; for each ward to be opened in Bank of Washington; Collectors to make their de- posits in said Bank; Treasurer to open a general account in Bank, Bank to open an account for each ward, &c .; Regn- ter's accounts to be exhibited to a committee; Of disbursios officers to be settled before re-appointment.
Advertisements. To be inserted in the National Intelligen- cer, National Journal and Telegraph.
Areas In front of houses, to be enclosed and walled.
Assessment. Three respectable frecholders, appointed As- sessors, shall, on the 4th Monday in June, every five years, (and annually to assess additional property, ) under oath to as- sess and value all and every species of property, by law taxable within the Corporation, and make return to the Register of the City, about the last Monday in June. The Assessors, after giving previous notice, by advertisement in a public newspaper, in the City of Washington, to meet at the City Hall on the 1st Monday in October, annually, to sit not exceeding six days, as a Board of Appeal, who, at their discretion, may abate, in- .crease, or alter, the valuation or assessment of property, upon the application of those concerned, for every day they are ne- tually employed in the discharge of their duties as Assessors and as a Board of Appeal, they each receive $2 per day, provided, the number of days shall not exceed sixty.
.Auctions. Every person selling by auction must take out a license, for which he must pay one hundred dollars; and give security in five thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duties. Five hundred dollars fine for those who refuse or neglect to take out a license. In ten days after the sale of any property by auction, an account must be rendered deduct- ing the following fees :-- for dry goods, 5 per cent. unless sold in the original package; in that case, 23 percent. Wet goods. groceries, and horses, 23 per cent, Household goods and fur- niture, 5 per cent. On vacant lots and vessels, 2 per cent. on the first $200 1 per cent. on the next $1,000, and if the amount exceed $1,500, then 1 per cent. on the excess. if the articles offered for sale, will not bring the price limited, that the auctioneer may charge one-fourth of his commission. 1. the auctioneer demand and receive more than is allowed by law. he is fincable four times the amount of his just fees. No ane- tioncer can purchase in goods to sell again, under the penalty of a $100. No auctioneer can sell to less amount of dry goods than five dollars; of wet goods, $5; or less than five gallois of spirits, under a penalty of $5 for each offence.
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Corporation Laws.
Bread. Wheaten bread must be made of inspected flour, The size of the loaf is fixed according to the price of the flour, at the following rates :- When the four is from $4 and Sil per barrel, the single loaf, must weigh 27 ounces; when at $5, 24 ounces; at $6, 22 ounces; at $7, 20 ounces; at $8, 18 ounces; at $9, 16 ounces; and, at $10, 14 ounces; and so on in propor- tion, as the value of flour increases, the size of the loaf di- minishes.
Bricks and Brick Kilns. All the Brick Kilns, must be li- censed by the Mayor, under a penalty of $10 for every week the owner continues to use it without a license.
All bricks brought into the city for sale, must be made in moulds of the following dimensions: place bricks. in moulds of 94 inches long in the clear; 4 5-8 inches broad; and 24 inches deep; stock bricks in moulds, 91 inches long; 4 5-S broad; and 2 5-S inches deep: the moulds to be stamped by the sealer of weights and measures, under a penalty of $20 for each of- .fence.
Billiard Tables. Each table must pay a license of $100, renewable on the 1st Monday in November, annually. To be played with 3 or 4 balls.
Brokers. It is not lawful for any person or persons to ex- ercise or deal in the business of pawn-broker, money-changer and lottery ticket vender, or either of them, without first ob- taining a Deense therefor from the Mayor, under a penalty of $50 for each and every week they shall so offend.
License to be taken out annually.
Building. An Act passed the 10th of July, 1822, renders it unlawful to erect or place, in any part of the City of Wash- ington, a wooden dwelling house, or other wooden house, nearer to a brick or stone building than 24 feet; and, if any person shall, contrary to the provisions of this act, erect or place any wooden building nearer to a brick or stone building than 24 feet, the person so offending, for every offence, shall forfeit and pay the sum of $20, and $5 for each and every week such wooden building shall be continued in a situation nearer to a brick or stone building than 24 feet: Provided, That no frame house, intended to be occupied as a blacksmith's shop, factory, or livery stable, shall be erected within 50 feet of any stone or brick house.
2 Any building, the materials of one side or more of which shall be principally of wood, even though one or both or one ga- ble ends be of brick or stone, shall be considered a wooden building within the meaning of this act.
3. Any building erected, or that may hereafter be erected, in the City of Washington, that shall not be in violation of this
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Corporation Laws.
act be, and the same is hereby, declared to be a lawful build- ing; any thing in any other act or acts to the contrary notwith- standing.
Smith's shops, factory and stables to be 50 feet distant.
Bulls. Six bulls are purchased for the use of the 6 wards of the city, and are under the care of the commissioners.
Carriages ( Private. ) Each coach pays a tax of 15 dollars annually, under certain regulations.
If kept part of the year, to pay in proportion.
Carts, Wagons and Drays, must be licensed; wagons must pay 5 dollars, and carts and drays $2 50, and have the No. and W. C. on each.
Sce Act of 19th August, 1828.
City Hall .-
The sum of $20,000 is appropriated payable out of the ge- neral fund, from the first proceeds of the lottery, not applica- ble to the endowment of the public schools, to be so applied towards finishing the City Hall within its present limits and improving the grounds about the City Hall, as the Mayor and the commissioners of the City Hall may deem expedient.
Coal Measurers are appointed by the Mayor, with the con- sent of the Board of Aldermen, about the 4th Monday in June annually; who are required to see all the coal measured, that is sold in the city, and to give certificates of the same: for which they receive half a cent per bushel, to be paid equally by the seller and buyer.
Collectors are appointed by the Mayor, to collect the taxes for which they are to receive 5 per cent. on collections, and two dollars for destraining on personal property.
See acts of 13th October, 1823; and 3d July, 1824.
Real property, sold for taxes is redeemable within two years or any time prior to the payment by the purchaser of the pur- chase money, after paying the amount of the taxes and expen- ses of sale, by paying ten per cent. per annum on the purchase money.
· Before any sale of real property for taxes shall be made, it is the duty of the Collector to give notice of the time and place of sale, by advertisement, in some newspaper published in the City of Washington, once a week for twelve successive weeks.
Rules and Regulations to be observed! by Collectors.
First. If the person chargenLle with any tax, own real or per- sonal property, the personal property is first resorted to for such tax (if such personal property can be found by the Co !- lector within the limits of the Corporation) unless the persons chargeable therewith, give consent in writing to the contrary.
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Corporation Laws.
Second. If any real property be under lease, for years, or for life cr lives, the estate of the tenant in default is first re- sorted io for the taxes on such property, and if it prove in- sufficient, then the fee simple estate of such property must be sold.
Third. If a number of lots be assessed to the same person or persons, the Collector may select any one or more of such lots, and sell for the taxes and expenses due on the whole, unless specially directed otherwise by the Mayor.
Fourth. If a lot of 40 feet front or upwards, be for sale for taxes, the Collector may seil half of such lot, if such part be sufficient to pay the taxes and expenses due on the whole, ta- king care to designate, particularly. the part to be sold.
Iu all cases of sales of real property for taxes, where such sale has not been made according to law, it is the duty of the Mayor, on the application of the purchaser, to refund and pay the amount paid by such purchaser, with legal interest thereon, and also the subsequent taxes assessed and paid on the said property. And, if it appear that such unlawful sale was occasioned by any omission, or neglect of the Collector, he is held responsible for all costs that have, or may hereafter accrue, in consequence of such omission, or neglect.
The Regixer is authorized to re-assess the amount of tax- es refunded as aforesaid, on the property on which the same accured, and place the same in the hands of the Collector as soon as practicable, for collection, in the manner provided by faw for the collection of other taxes, at any time after the Ist of January, next after the same shall been re-assessed.
The Collector may postpone the sale of property for want of bidders, giving notice of such postponement, and the sale made at such postponed time, is equally valid.
Prior to 30th October, 1610, taxes were collected by the treasurer of the city. The sets imposing upon that officer this duty, are believed to have been supersed by subsequent enact- ments.
Commissioners. Six are appointed, (one for cach ward, ) by the Nicyor, with the cousin of the Board of Aldermen, on the fourth Monday of June, annually. Their duty is to su- periutend the execution of the laws, the expenditure of ul mo- neys appropriated for opening and repairing the streets, wharves, bridges, puiaps, wells, &e. It is their duty also, to superintend the duties of the Coustables, and report the same, so that the latter may receive their pay. The pay of the Commissioner of the First Ward, $200 per annum; of the Second Ward $200; of the Third Ward, $200; and of the Fourth, Fifth, and 6th Words, $100 each, See act June 4, '24.
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Corporation Laws.
Constables. One for each Ward is appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, to execute the laws of the Corporation; and, if necessary, in the execution of their duty, can call to their assistance any citizen; who, on refusal, without excuse, is subject to a fine of two dollars.
To receive $160 per annum.
Council. Allowed one dollar for each day's attendance, and 40 dollars for the year.
Dogs. A tax is levied on all male dogs at two dollars per annum, and five dollars on females; renewable on the 1st of January, of each year, under a penalty of ten dollars. Every dog must have a collar with the name of the owner and city written or stamped on it. Any dog without licence and such collar, going at large, is liable to be killed: for doing which and burying, the Constable receives one dollar.
Elections. Judges to have lists of free white males-judges to make lists of voters, and deposite with Register.
Fences. Party-fences between lots, &c. are to be made and kept in repair at the joint expense of the parties.
Fire Companies and Engines. Fire Companies are organi- zed in cach ward, with power to appoint their own officers .- The president or vice-president Has power to preserve order at the fires; to command any citizen who is able to assist in bringing water, and to order disorderly persons off. The presiding officer of the company which arrives first at the fire has the direction of the business. Every officer to have a trumpet and a white staff at least five feet, long. They are to take care of all property taken out of the houses in danger. A fine of five dollars is recoverable against any one resisting their authority.
Fire-
No person is allowed to carry fire exposed to the wind, through the streets, under a penalty of three dollars for each offence.
Every house-keeper is required to have as many buckets, with their name and numbers painted on them, as there are stories in the house, under a penalty of one dollar.
Fire Crackers-Penalty for firing within 200 yards of a house, fine 5 dolls., slave to be whipped; penalty for selling without license, 5 to 10 dollars; cost of license, 50 dollars.
Fish Docks are established at the South extremity of 7th street west, on the Tyber. The landing on the north side of the Tyber, at Ttb and 12th streets west; provided no fish be cleaned on said landings, the steamboat wharf on the Potomac near the Potomac bridge; at Cana's wharf, and at the south ex-
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Corporation Laws.
·tremity of New-Jersey avenue; the wharf owned or occupied by J. B. Poston, in the Potomac river, near the entrance of Rock Creek, in the same and on the south side of Tiber Creek on 15th street, west." No fish can be sold out of any species of vessel, scow, or boat, at any other site than those designe- ted, under a penalty of ten dollars for each and every offence.
Persons are not prohibited from selling fish at the landings where they are caught, or out of carts, wagons. drays, or bar- rows; in any part of the city.
Flour. Two inspectors are appointed annually, on or about the fourth Monday in June, by the Mayor, with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, whose duty is to inspect all flour offered for sale, and to make a return to the Mayor every three months. Each barrel must contain 196 lbs. of flour. If there be one pound deficient, the seller shall be fined 10 cents; if two pounds, 15 cents per pound; and for every pound de- ficient above, 25 cents. The barrels to be marked according to the quality. Six cents are allowed for storage. No flour to be exported or sold without inspection, under a penalty of ten dollars. Barrels to be branded W. C.
Footways. No person is allowed to ride, clean, or feed hor. ses, drive, or suffer any carriage to remain on any of the par- ed side walks, longer than is necessary to remove a carriage from a carriage house, or put the same therein; nor permit manure to accumulate and remain on the side walks, except at the crossings of streets, under a penalty of two dollars for each offence. The Ene to be recovered of parents or guar- dians in case of minors. and from masters in case of slaves.
Forestalling marketting, 6 dollars penalty .
Gaming ( Public ) -- For money, except at licensed billiards, penalty, for owner of table oroccupant of room, 50 dollars per day -- players $5 dollars cach, to be levied before a justice of she peace, only, after conviction.
Geese. No geese are allowed to be kept in this city, except in enclosures South of Massachusetts avenue, and West of 11th street East, under the penalty of having them seized and given to the poor.
General Fund. All moneys collected, (except from taxes on real and personal property ) are deposited in the Bank of Wash- ington, as a general fund, to be drawn out by the warrant of the Mayor for the expenses of the city.
Grave Yards. The squares No. 109, and No. 1026, are ap- propriated as grave yards for the interment of all denomina- tions of people. The ground was divided by the Commission- Lers into sites for graves, and sold at the rate of two dollars
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Corporation Laws.
"each. Persons purchased once from one to six contiguous if they thought proper; but not more. Those sites that remain unpurchased, are now sold at about the same rate.
The compensation for digging graves is fixed by the Com- missioners: at present it is three dollars each for grown per- sons, and two for children.
Goats, not to go at large.
Gaugers. Three gaugers and inspectors of liquors are ap- pointed annually by the Mayor, with the consent of the Board ot Aldermen, who, under oath, guage and inspect spiritnous liquors brought to the city for sale, by the gallon or quantity , and mark on the head of the casks, the quantity contained in each cask, making proper deductions for deficiencies, and also mark the proof of liquors distilled from domestic materials. on the cask with an O, and the number of degrees under anti proof, and be paid by the seller, for gauging a vessel contain- ing spirituous liquors, not exceeding 40 gallons, 8 cents, from one to five; for each vessel above five, 6 cents. For each vos- sel, not exceeding five, containing upwards of 40 gallons, 122 cents, and for each vessel over five, 10 cents.
For gauging vessels containing oil or molasses, 50 per cent. additional; for ascertaining the proof of liquors, 4 cents for each vessel. All persons selling contrary to the foregoing provisions, forfeit and pay 10 dollars for each cask so sold !.
Gunpowder, penalty 30 dollars, for keeping in house more than 30 pounds.
Hackney Carriages. All hackney carriages to pay the fol- lowing licences: owners residing within the limits of the cor- poration 10 dollars per annum. Owners out of the corpo:&- tion and within the District, 20 dollars per annum. All others 50 dollars per annum; and be numbered, renewable on the first Monday in November. The number to be painted legi- bly on the carriage, under a penalty of ten dollars for each offence.
The Register is to furnish to each ordinary or tavern keep- er, within the corporation, the rates of fare, and an abstract of the laws relating to hackney carriages, neatly printed and framed, and it is the duty of every such ordinary or tavern Leeper, immediately on the receipt thereof, to hang the same up for public use, in the most conspicuous and publie part of his house, under a penalty of 6 dollars for each and every week he may neglect to have the same hung up as aforesaid.
All hacks while on the stand, shall be at twelve feet from the kerb stone; the driver shall be on his box, or with the zeins in his hand, and he shall not crack his whip to the ar- novance of others. under a penalty of one dollar.
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Corporation Laws.
No one shall run sleighs for hire without being first licensed to run carriages.
That the following rates of fare or charge for the convey- ance of persons, from one place to another in the City of Washington, in hackney carriages, between day break and ciglit o'clock, P. M shall not be exceeded, that is to say :- .
From the Capitol Square to the Eastero Branch Bridge, thirty-one cents.
From the same to the Navy Yard, twenty-five cents.
From the same to the South end of New Jersey Avenue, twenty-five cents.
From the same to the South end of South Capitol street, twenty-five cents.
From the same to Greenleaf's Point, twenty-five cents.
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